Posted on 12/15/2004 4:49:14 PM PST by Former Military Chick
CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq (AP) -- About 1,000 soldiers at this sprawling western Baghdad base took a break Tuesday from the war's day-to-day grind to be entertained by comedian Robin Williams, former NFL quarterback John Elway, and sportscaster and model Leeann Tweeden.
The three stars landed in Baghdad along with Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, in military helicopters for a visit to boost troop morale during the holiday season.
The VIPs were greeted with deafening cheers from soldiers representing units including the 1st Cavalry Division based in Fort Hood, Texas, the 256th Brigade of the Louisiana National Guard, and the 2nd Brigade of the 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, N.Y.
``I know we in America wouldn't have the life we have if it wasn't for people like you,'' said Tweeden, who visited Baghdad last year with Williams for a pre-Christmas event organized by the United Service Organizations.
Former Denver Broncos great Elway said he thought twice about making the Baghdad trip, considering the worsening security situation.
``But once my kids told me that it'd be a great idea, I knew it was the right thing,'' he said before showing off his trademark quarterback skills by tossing several balls into a crowd of clambering soldiers.
``I'm not funny, I'm not pretty, but I can sure throw a ball,'' he said.
Williams was gang-tackled into autographing dozens of photos of himself, posing for pictures and displaying his rapid-fire humor.
The USO is a nonprofit charity organization established before World War II to boost morale, provide welfare and deliver recreational services for American troops.
No Way Elway has never been a favorite of mine either but I respect him for this.
And if I am not incorrect, I thought Robin Williams openly campaigned for Kerry. Glad to see him support the troops by going over there. Good for him.
Leeann Tweeden FHM: Whose ass would you really like to kick? LEEANN: Can I make it a combination? Bill Clinton and Al Gore. I'm a Republican, but Al Gore because he and his wife are idiots, and Clinton because I'm pissed off he's gotten through unscathed after some of the things he's done.
Whoa!!!!! I think I'm in LOVE!!!
no dear. i didn't really mean it.
OOOoooofff....
Good for him is right. I can't imagine him doing this for the troops. He must be doing it for his career.
QUICK!!! Tell her "I meant with you, Sweetie!"
Wouldn' woik. We' been married almost 40 years.
The real letdown for me as a self-admitted ("I can quit anytime I want to")
listener to conservative talk radio:
The lack of any conservative talk-show host going at least to the area (e.g., Kuwait)
to do a live remote.
At least Dennis Prager went to Jerusalem to do a live remote for a week soon after
the Intifada bombings were peaking....
but so far the talk radio hosts HAVE BEEN "chicken hawks" when this
topic comes up.
OK, maybe "chickenhawk" a bit cruel...let's at least say "AWOL".
Laura Ingraham talks, and talks and talks and talks and talks about doing a
live remote from "over there"...but just can't seem to pull it off.
Oy, so she's wise to your shananagins. Not that you'll be seeing this reply for the next week or two. Tough luck. See ya when you're done with your new list of chores.
Nah. I told her, a long time ago, to start worrying when I QUIT looking. Because that means I found what I want.
(just a joke)
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